Ms. Maxine Lu Appointed Chair of the Award Advisory Committee of The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award China

Recently, Ms. Maxine Lu, General Principal of Xiehe Education, was officially appointed as a National Board Trustee and Chair of the Award Advisory Committee of The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award China. The appointment recognizes Xiehe Education’s longstanding commitment and achievements in fostering students’ spirit of outdoor adventure and experiential learning, as well as its distinguished practice of holistic education.

According to the appointment, during her tenure, Ms. Lu will provide strategic guidance for the development of the Award in China, offer advice on quality assurance and partnership relations, and represent the voices of Chinese youth to promote the integration of international exchange and local practice. She will also contribute her profound insights in holistic education and leadership experience in the education industry in shaping the future of the Award in China.

▲ Ms. Maxine Lu, General Principal of Xiehe Education

 

SUIS Schools & DofE

Since 2011, Shanghai United International School (SUIS) campuses have been actively engaged in The Duke of Edinburgh’s (DofE) International Award programme. To date, six SUIS schools have become official Award Centres, with more than 400 students participating in various Award activities. SUIS students have collectively earned nearly 100 Bronze Awards and five Silver Awards. Among the recently announced first cohort of “DofE China Youth Ambassadors,” two students from WUIS (SUIS Wuxi) — Chen Qinhui and Dong Ziyao — were included. They will serve as youth ambassadors for the Award within schools and communities, encouraging more young people to pursue meaningful journeys of self-discovery and development.

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(In order of the date of participation in DofE Award activities)

SUIS Gubei

SUIS Gubei has been running Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award activities since 2011, with nearly 200 students taking part and more than 30 students receiving the Bronze Award. The school also organizes a whole-school outdoor adventurous journey every two years, and has offered dedicated Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award extracurricular courses over the past three years.

WUIS (SUIS Wuxi)

WUIS has participated in the Award program for four consecutive years, with a total of 154 students taking part. So far, 31 students have received the Bronze Award and five have earned the Silver Award. Recently, WUIS students Chen Qinhui and Dong Ziyao were selected among the first group of Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award China Youth Ambassadors and achieved leading results.

SUIS Qingpu

SUIS Qingpu has been running the Award program for three consecutive years. More than 20 students have received the Bronze Award, and many students are continuing to work toward the Silver Award.

SUIS Pudong

SUIS Pudong has participated in the Award program for two consecutive years, with more than 34 students taking part. In its first year of participation, the school received nine Bronze Awards. Alongside the Award program, the school has actively developed a wide range of distinctive practical activities both on and off campus, including CCAs, volunteer service, outdoor physical training and environmental practice, further supporting students’ all-round development.

 

SUIS Peiming

In January 2026, the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award was officially introduced at SUIS Peiming, marking the beginning of a new journey of growth for its students. Through this internationally recognized award program, SUIS Peiming’s international division will help students develop independence, a sense of responsibility and practical abilities that extend beyond the classroom.

About the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award

The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award was founded by HRH The Duke of Edinburgh KG, KT in 1956, in conjunction with Kurt Hahn, the German educationalist. The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award challenges young people to discover their potential, find their purpose, and make their contributions. As the global framework for holistic education and learning, the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award is a leading youth achievement award with a complete set of guidance and principles. The Award is now operating in more than 130 countries and territories around the world and gains global recognition.

The Mission of the The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award is to encourage every 13-24-year-old to learn new skills, get physically active, and volunteer within their communities to make a positive contribution to a harmonious society. And the Vision of the Award is that all young people, regardless of their ability or experience, would have the opportunity to participate in The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award.

Award Advisory Committee (AAC) is a group of volunteers who highly recognize the vision and mission of the Award and committed to contribute towards the quality and compliance of the Award being delivered in China. The AAC members are on a nomination – appointment basis and go through a similar process like the Board members. The AAC members are joined by a Foundation Rep on the committee.